A squall line swept through the tri-state area ahead of a cold front on March 12th. Numerous reports of severe weather were received.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS TAE wrote it up.
A squall line swept through the tri-state area ahead of a cold front on March 12th. Numerous reports of severe weather were received.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 12, 1:32 AM EST, 2 hours 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
232 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER, HYDROLOGY...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 227 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
- A Tornado Watch is in effect until 8 AM ET / 7 AM CT for areas
along and west of the Apalachicola and Flint Rivers. A squall
line will move through the area with the threat of damaging wind
gusts and a few tornadoes. Some strong storms are possible east
of the watch area later this morning. Have multiple ways to
receive warnings.
- Small Craft Advisories are in effect for Thursday for open Gulf
waters west of Apalachicola as well as St. Andrews Bay. Winds
and seas will be hazardous to those operating smaller vessels.
- Chances of a late season frost/freeze remain low to medium for
Monday and Tuesday nights. This will be particularly impactful
for agricultural interests who have planted early.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Today and Tonight)
Issued at 227 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
A squall line is currently approaching I-65 early this morning in
southwestern Alabama. This line of storms has a history of producing
damaging winds and possibly a few tornadoes. We expect the line of
storms to enter our westernmost counties by 2:30-3:30 AM CT.
There will be ample instability ahead of the line and deep layer
shear is quite high at 50-60 kt. The low-level jet should also
increase some over the next couple hours. Thus, a Tornado Watch
is now in effect until 8 AM ET/7 AM CT for areas generally along
and west of the Flint and Apalachicola Rivers. Strong, potentially
damaging winds of 40-60 mph and a few tornadoes are the primary
threats. Once it gets east of the rivers, shear starts to back
off, instability wanes a bit, and the shortwave starts to dampen
out. Thus, the line is expected to lose some potency and
organization as it moves farther east. The caveat may be across
south Georgia where the low-level jet remains the strongest early
Thursday morning ahead of the line. Therefore, we still can't
rule out some gusty winds and a brief tornado or two across south
central Georgia and the Florida Big Bend. We'll keep an eye on
things if we need to locally extend the watch in area and time.
Behind the front, winds will be quite gusty with frequent gusts of
25-35 mph expected. While not quite Wind Advisory level, some low-
end impacts such as small broken tree limbs and unsecured small
objects being blown around can't be ruled out. Also, if there are
any fires, the gusty winds could cause some control issues as we'll
quickly dry out behind the storms.
Temperatures will fall behind the front. Lows will be in the 40s
tonight.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Friday through Wednesday)
Issued at 227 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
High pressure moves across our area Friday then moves off the
Atlantic coast by Saturday. Friday will be rather pleasant with
highs in the upper 60s to mid 70s, except near 80 in the southeast
Big Bend. The flow quickly becomes more southeasterly and southerly
over the weekend with a return to warm and humid weather, though not
record warmth as highs rise back into the low 80s.
Chances for showers and storms increase again Sunday ahead of the
next system as a shortwave moves into the southeast. The larger
parent trough swings a strong cold front through the area late
Sunday into Monday. Right now, shear and instability ahead of this
system don't appear favorable for severe weather, but we'll keep
watching.
Much colder air arrives next week with a medium to high chance (30-
70%) of temperatures favorable for a late-season front (36 or lower)
Monday and Tuesday nights. Additionally, there is a low chance (30%
or less) for a light freeze away from the coast, especially Tuesday
night. This would be hazardous for agricultural interests if
planting has started early. Also, we'll have much drier air in
place, which could lead to elevated fire danger next week.
&&
.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 227 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
Conditions will deteriorate this morning as a strong to occasionally
severe squall line sweeps across the area through the morning hours.
Ahead of the line, expect widespread IFR cloud cover. Gusty non-
thunderstorm winds will also occur both ahead of the squall line and
behind the squall line as winds quickly shift northwest with frontal
passage. Some severe storms could contain 35 to 45 knot gusts,
especially at western terminals of ECP/DHN.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 227 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
A line of strong to potentially severe storms will move across the
marine area through early this afternoon. Strong wind gusts and
waterspouts will be possible. Behind the front, strong northerly
breezes are expected with a low chance (30% or less) of gale-force
gusts over our western waters. Small Craft Advisories will be in
effect for our waters through Friday morning, except through this
evening for St. Andrews Bay. Winds slacken heading into Friday with
moderate easterly breezes. Winds turn more southeasterly and
southerly Sunday ahead of the next cold front. Another round of
Small Craft Advisories will likely be needed Monday behind the
next cold front.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 227 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
A line of strong to severe storms will move across the area this
morning into early this afternoon. Strong, erratic winds are likely
with the stronger storms. Behind the storms, dispersions become high
as transport winds become northerly around 20-30 mph. Winds become
much lighter and more variable on Friday as high pressure moves
overhead with low dispersions likely. Transport winds become more
southeasterly Saturday and increase to 10 mph or so, leading to good
dispersions. Min RH values will remain above critical levels through
the weekend.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 227 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
The fast motion of the squall line will keep rainfall totals under
an inch in most places. A couple localized spots could see as much
as an inch and a half. The next system doesn't look to bring much in
the way of meaningful rainfall, only up to half an inch at most.
Thus, no flood concerns are expected. The only hydrologic concern
remains the severe to extreme drought ongoing across the area.
For more information on local drought impacts, visit
www.weather.gov/tae/DroughtInformationStatement.
&&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 72 44 74 51 / 90 0 0 0
Panama City 70 47 71 53 / 80 0 0 0
Dothan 65 41 69 47 / 80 0 0 0
Albany 69 40 69 46 / 90 0 0 0
Valdosta 71 42 74 49 / 90 0 0 0
Cross City 74 47 80 55 / 80 0 0 0
Apalachicola 72 52 68 57 / 80 0 0 0
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late tonight for FLZ108-112-114.
GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Dense Fog Advisory until 10 AM EDT this morning for GMZ730-755-
765-775.
Small Craft Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM EDT
Friday for GMZ730-755-765-775.
Small Craft Advisory from 7 AM this morning to 7 PM CDT this
evening for GMZ735.
Small Craft Advisory from 7 AM this morning to 10 AM CDT Friday
for GMZ751-752-770-772.
&&
SHORT TERM...Young
LONG TERM....Young
AVIATION...Dobbs
MARINE...Young
FIRE WEATHER...Young
HYDROLOGY...YoungSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
236 AM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026
ALZ065-066-120830-
Dale AL-Coffee AL-
236 AM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN DALE AND COFFEE
COUNTIES THROUGH 330 AM CDT...
At 235 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Petrey to Dozier to 12 miles southwest of
River Falls. Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Elba, Fort Rucker, New Brockton, Ariton, Lee, Pine Level, Mixons
Crossroads, Perry Store, Curtis, Carl Folsom A/p, Ino, Turner
Crossroads, Lowry Mill, Camp Humming Hills, Clintonville, Roeton,
Wise Mill, Goodman, Clowers Crossroads, and Basin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for southeastern
Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3153 8619 3154 8614 3162 8615 3162 8568
3126 8599 3127 8619
TIME...MOT...LOC 0735Z 254DEG 33KT 3178 8620 3151 8634 3121 8667
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
73-YOUNGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
301 AM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026
ALZ065-066-068-FLZ007>009-108-120900-
Dale AL-Coffee AL-Geneva AL-Holmes FL-Central Walton FL-
South Walton FL-North Walton FL-
301 AM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN DALE...SOUTHERN
COFFEE...GENEVA...NORTHWESTERN WALTON AND NORTHWESTERN HOLMES
COUNTIES THROUGH 400 AM CDT...
At 301 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Opp to 7 miles north of Crestview to near
Gulf Breeze. Movement was east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Daleville, De Funiak Springs, Geneva, Enterprise, Samson, Eglin Air
Force Base, Union, Liberty, Paxton, Clayhatchee, Kinston, Coffee
Springs, Oakwood Hills, Cluster Springs, Villa Tasso, Central City,
Logan Field Municipal A/P, Glendale, Cairns Aaf, and Pleasant Ridge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for southeastern
Alabama...and the Panhandle of Florida.
&&
LAT...LON 3099 8639 3100 8619 3130 8620 3128 8562
3127 8567 3119 8571 3119 8568 3077 8600
3048 8632 3046 8639
TIME...MOT...LOC 0801Z 278DEG 28KT 3124 8624 3086 8658 3040 8714
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
73-YOUNGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
451 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
FLZ007>012-108-112-120945-
Coastal Bay FL-Holmes FL-Central Walton FL-Inland Bay FL-
South Walton FL-Jackson FL-North Walton FL-Washington FL-
451 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN JACKSON...
NORTHWESTERN BAY...WALTON...SOUTHWESTERN HOLMES AND WASHINGTON
COUNTIES THROUGH 545 AM EDT/445 AM CDT/...
At 451 AM EDT/351 AM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from De Funiak Springs to 8
miles south of Mary Esther. Movement was east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Panama City Beach, Vernon, Santa Rosa Beach, De Funiak Springs,
Bonifay, Eglin Air Force Base, Bradford, Live Oak, Freeport, Ponce De
Leon, Alford, Wausau, Westville, Ebro, Whitehead Crossroads, Villa
Tasso, Gulf Resort Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Seaside, and Rock
Hill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 AM EDT/700 AM CDT/ for
the Panhandle of Florida.
&&
LAT...LON 3038 8633 3042 8631 3039 8626 3040 8623
3038 8616 3039 8611 3044 8616 3047 8613
3046 8619 3050 8620 3048 8622 3046 8639
3061 8639 3075 8626 3076 8534 3017 8587
3018 8599 3031 8639 3040 8639
TIME...MOT...LOC 0851Z 260DEG 43KT 3075 8612 3029 8666
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
73-YOUNGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
412 AM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026
ALZ068-069-FLZ009>011-121000-
Geneva AL-Houston AL-Holmes FL-Jackson FL-Washington FL-
412 AM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN GENEVA...SOUTH
CENTRAL HOUSTON...WESTERN JACKSON...HOLMES AND NORTHEASTERN
WASHINGTON COUNTIES THROUGH 500 AM CDT...
At 412 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles south of Slocomb to 12 miles northwest
of Vernon. Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Chipley, Graceville, Bonifay, Marianna, Bradford, Malone, Cottondale,
Greenwood, Ponce De Leon, Alford, Caryville, Wausau, Esto, Westville,
Campbellton, Noma, Black, Whitehead Crossroads, Cerrogordo, and
Gritney.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for southeastern
Alabama...and the Panhandle of Florida.
&&
LAT...LON 3100 8588 3101 8508 3059 8536 3074 8603
TIME...MOT...LOC 0912Z 286DEG 31KT 3101 8563 3071 8588
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
73-YOUNGThe Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 43 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:29 UTC.
56 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across Clay county.
A tree was blown down onto a house and a car with power lines also down.
A tree was blown down on Gordon Street.
Tornado touched down just east of Old Lucile Road south of Blakely, initially causing damage to oak and pine trees. The tornado flipped a storage shed and damaged a well-constructed farm equipment shelter along Lucile Road. The roof of a business housing several large trucks was severely damaged along Lucile Road as well. The overhead doors in the structure failed, allowing the roof and wall structure to be lifted and flipped over the rest of the building. The highest winds, approximately 95 mph were estimated to have occurred at this location. The tornado continued east-southeast, with a scattered path of damage to trees. The porch of a manufactured home was damaged on Crystal Springs Loop. An adjacent manufactured home was damaged by debris. After another stretch of isolated damage, additional more significant tree damage was observed along Sandy Bottom Road. The tornado appears to have dissipated shortly after crossing Sandy Bottom Road in a heavily wooded area. The overall damage was consistent with an EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of approximately 95 mph. Thanks to Early County Emergency Management for assistance with this assessment.
Numerous trees were blown down in Early county.
Multiple trees were down near Edison.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the county.
Numerous trees were blown down across the county.
Power lines were down and blocking Hebrew Hwy between Parker Ln and 9 Hole Rd.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the county.
Trees were blown down in the Smithville area.
Several trees and power lines were blown down across the county.
The public reported a tree down on Lullwater Rd at Gillionville Rd.
A broken pole occurred on Booster Club Rd.
Trees were down on Force Dr.
A metal roof was blown off on the Albany 8 Inn.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down with some trees on residences.
A tree was down near Highway 311.
Trees were down and blocking Red Rock Rd.
A tree was down on a home on Birch Rd.
Trees were down and blocking Woodcrest Rd.
Trees were down along the 2400 block of Hwy 313.
Trees and power lines down blocking Massey Airport Rd.
Trees were down and blocking Eldridge St.
A tree was down on a home on Livingston St.
Trees were down and blocking Hwy 33N.
A tree was down near Bethel Church.
A tree was down with damage to a window and siding of a home on Dewberry Dr.
Trees were blocking the Hwy 112N to the south of Ephesus Church Rd.
Trees were blocking Doe Hill Road.
Three trees were blocking Hwy 256.
An oak tree was blocking both lanes of Old 179 South.
Trees were blocking Joe Sumner Road between Shingler Little River Rd and Ephesus Church Rd.
A brief tornado touched down along Georgia Highway 111, downing a couple of trees. The tornado moved east, crossing Gainey Road, where a couple of additional trees were uprooted. The tornado dissipated before reaching Pine Hill Road. The damage was consistent with an EF-0 tornado with maximum winds of approximately 80 mph.
There was a broken pole on Wight Road.
Shed and roof damage was reported.
A broken pole was reported on Sherman Road.
A tree was down, irrigation pivots were blown over, and a barn collapsed on Reid Rd.
A billboard was blown over along I-75 near Inaha.
A porch roof was blown off a house on Whiddon Rd.
Trees were blown down.
Trees were down along Hutchinson Rd near Zion Hope Rd.
Trees were down along Chula Brookfield Rd.
Trees were down in the Forrest Lake area.
Trees were blown down across the county.
An oak tree snapped in Irwinville.
Two trees were down with damage to a mailbox near Omega.
Trees were down on Harold Tyson Road.
Trees were down near I-75 with debris across the highway.
An irrigation pivot overturned off of Cranford Sumner Road east of Lenox.
Downed trees were reported along Jacob Hall Road.
Trees were blown down in Ocilla.
A shed overturned on Wren Road in Ben Hill county with 2 injuries reported.
A broken pole was reported on M and M Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Georgia, 2026Warnings in Georgia, March 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1326902, 1326903, 1326904, 1327633, 1326905, 1326906, 1327515, 1327517, 1327519, 1327522, 1327524, 1327527, 1327528, 1327529, 1327530, 1327532, 1327533, 1327534, 1327535, 1327537, 1327540, 1327551, 1327552, 1327553, 1327555, 1327556, 1327558, 1327559, 1327560, 1327561, 1327585, 1327586, 1327587, 1327588, 1327635, 1327591, 1327592, 1327593, 1327594, 1327595, and more.